Definition
A heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally on its lift from the lift generated by one or more rotors.
Plain English
An aircraft that flies because it has spinning rotor blades on top (or elsewhere) that produce lift, instead of fixed wings.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA rules, aircraft category descriptions, pilot certificate requirements, and discussions of helicopters and gyroplanes.
Derivation
From 'rotor' (a rotating part) and 'craft' (a vehicle). The name simply describes the defining feature: an aircraft whose lift comes from rotating blades rather than fixed wings.
Why Pilots Care
Rotorcraft follow distinct certification, training, and flight rules from airplanes, affecting pilot certificates, airspace procedures, and landing-site requirements.
Intuition Check
A rotorcraft is not only a helicopter. Helicopters are rotorcraft, but gyroplanes are rotorcraft too.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot filed a flight plan listing the aircraft type as a rotorcraft.
Example Sentence 2
Rotorcraft training includes practice of autorotations and hover maneuvers not required for airplane pilots.